The Pivot: Starting Over

Dynamics of Perception & Action | Week 2

The Pivot

We just discussed the limits of the Computer model in the real world. (Infinite Regress, Too Slow, Ambiguous).

If we want to better explain how you actually survived your drive here…

We need a new Metaphor.

Metaphor 1: The Computer

  • Input: Poor (2D, Static, Ambiguous).
  • Mechanism: Computation (Inference, Calculation).
  • Intelligence: In the Head (The Software).
  • Relationship: Indirect (Mediated by a copy).

Metaphor 2: The Sunflower

Metaphor 2: The Sunflower

  • Input: Rich (The Sun).
  • Mechanism: Resonance (Phototropism / Coupling).
  • Intelligence: In the System (Plant + Light).
  • Relationship: Direct (Mechanical linkage).

Concept: The Animal-Environment System

The biggest mistake of the Computer model was Dualism: Treating the Animal and the Environment as separate things.

  • Old View: Animal \(\leftarrow\) Gap \(\rightarrow\) Environment
  • New View: Animal-Environment System

Note

“You cannot define an animal without its niche. You cannot define a niche without an animal.” (Blau & Wagman, Ch 3)

The Consequence: Changing the Question

If the System is the unit, we stop asking about the brain processing inputs. We start asking about the relationship.

Bill Mace’s Rule:

“Ask not what’s inside your head, but what your head is inside of.”

We are inside an Ambient Optic Array. * We don’t measure Distance (Physics). * We measure Relational Structure (Ecology).

Concept: Measuring Directly

The Polar Planimeter Metaphor: A tool that measures Area directly without measuring Length or Width.

Smart vs. Dumb Instruments:

  • Smart about the goal (Area).
  • Dumb about the components (Length).

Ecological Insight:

We are Smart about Catching (Tau) but Dumb about Distance. We perceive the useful variable directly.

Concept: Self-Organization

The Orchestra Problem: How do musicians play together?

  • Model A (Central Executive): Dr. Pick conducts. Everyone watches him. (Top-Down).
  • Model B (Self-Organization): Dr. Pick is sick. Everyone listens to their neighbor. (Bottom-Up).

The New Axioms (Starting Over)

The Standard Story The Ecological Approach
Poverty of Stimulus Richness of Stimulus
Ambiguous Input Lawful Information
Linear Causality Circular/System Causality
Computation Detection / Resonance
Indirect Perception Direct Perception

Reference: Blau & Wagman Ch 3 (The Assumptions) & Ch 4 (Systems)

A Mystery for Thursday: The Two Visual Systems

If the Ecological approach is right, Perception is for Action.

  • Standard View: We see the world to build a picture (Perception). Then we act on that picture.
  • Ecological View: We see the world to move.

The Test: Can your hand be smarter than your eye?

Haffenden et al (2001)

  • Perception: “The middle circles look different sizes.” (Illusion).
  • Action: “When you pick them up, does your hand make the same mistake?”

Thursday’s Meeting: We will test if Action breaks the Illusion.

Assignments

  1. By Thursday Read: Haffenden (2001) - Intro & Figures only.
  2. By next Tuesday Read: Blau & Wagman Ch 3-4 (The New Assumptions).